Justice Quotes
“Human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable… Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Fairness is man’s ability to rise above his prejudices.”
-Wes Fessler
“Social justice cannot be attained by violence. Violence kills what it intends to create.”
-Pope John Paul II
“Exclusion is never the way forward on our shared paths to freedom and justice.”
-Desmond Tutu
“Though force can protect in emergency, only justice, fairness, consideration and cooperation can finally lead men to the dawn of eternal peace.”
-Dwight D. Eisenhower
“The aim of justice is to give everyone his due.”
-Cicero
“Justice is what love looks like in public.”
-Cornel West
“I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost us to maintain this Declaration.”
– John Adams, July 3, 1776
“Civilization is a method of living, an attitude of equal respect for all men.”
– Jane Addams
“Gratitude situates one well to know what can be and must be done to challenge inequity. It situates one to see opportunity where others see despair.”
– Lucas Johnson
“The future which we hold in trust for our own children will be shaped by our fairness to other people’s children.”
-Marian Wright Edelman
“The ‘Bird’s Nest’ National Stadium, which I helped to conceive, is designed to embody the Olympic spirit of ‘fair competition.’ It tells people that freedom is possible but needs fairness, courage and strength.”
-Ai Weiwei
“The virtue of justice consists in moderation, as regulated by wisdom.”
-Aristotle
“Live so that when your children think of fairness and integrity, they think of you.”
-H. Jackson Brown, Jr.
“Justice is always violent to the party offending, for every man is innocent in his own eyes.”
-Daniel Defoe
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
-Martin Luther King, Jr.
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”
—Nelson Mandela
“May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.”
—Peter Marshall
“We realize the importance of our voices only when we are silenced.”
– Malala Yousafzai
“Man’s capacity for justice makes democracy possible, but man’s inclination toward injustice makes democracy necessary.”
– Reinhold Niebuhr
“In matters of truth and justice, there is no difference between large and small problems, for issues concerning the treatment of people are all the same.”
-Albert Einstein
“I have always found that mercy bears richer fruits than strict justice.”
-Abraham Lincoln
“Observe good faith and justice toward all nations. Cultivate peace and harmony with all.”
-George Washington
“If you want peace work for justice.”
-Pope Paul VI
“Fairness is what justice really is.”
-Potter Stewart
“I know, up on top you are seeing great sights, but down here at the bottom we, too, should have rights.”
-Dr. Seuss, Yertle the Turtle
“Peace and justice are two sides of the same coin.”
—Dwight D. Eisenhower
“Curiosity is the essence of human existence.”
– Eugene Cernan
“The clash of ideas is the sound of freedom.”
– Lady Bird Johnson
“The happiness of one’s own heart alone cannot satisfy the soul; one must try to include, as necessary to one’s own happiness, the happiness of others.”
—Paramahansa Yogananda
“I would like to be known as a person who is concerned about freedom and equality and justice and prosperity for all people.”
—Rosa Parks
How can you use Quotes?
- Start a discussion: Quotes can start a discussion about a character trait at the beginning of a meeting or the dinner table. You can ask questions about what it means, how they have seen the trait demonstrated in their own lives, or how they can develop it themselves.
- Provide a model: Quotes can provide a model of good character. When you read a quote from a famous person or historical figure, you show that people they admire also value the same character traits.
- Use quotes as writing/journal prompts: Ask them to write a short essay about a quote to help them think more deeply about its implications for their lives.
- Post quotes: You can post quotes where they will be seen/heard often – classroom, breakroom, lobby, dining room, email signatures, video bulletin boards, morning announcements, social media, etc.
- Read quotes aloud: You can read quotes aloud to your children during mealtimes, bedtime, or any other time you spend together.
- Make it fun: You can make it even more fun by incorporating games, activities, or crafts. Let children decorate signs with the quotes to hang in the classroom or a bedroom door. Record children saying it and post it on social media.